Operating Room Liaison - St. Louis, MO

Surgical Solutions, LLC•Chesterfield, MO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operating Room Liaison (ORL) functions as the primary communication and coordination link between the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) and the Operating Room (OR). This role identifies opportunities for improvement in instrumentation and case cart delivery processes, leads efforts to enhance cross-departmental communication, and ensures the seamless flow of sterile instrumentation to support surgical case continuity, patient safety, and operational efficiency. The OR Liaison reports to the SPD Supervisor and works closely with the Sterile Processing Instrument Coordinator and Operating Room service line leads.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED required
Minimum two (2) years of experience in surgical instrument processing
Current certification as a Sterile Processing Technician (CBSPD or CRCST) required
Ability to wear personal protective equipment (i.e., eye protection, gloves, shoe covers, surgical head covering, and gown) is required.
Ability to maneuver heavy equipment; lift, carry, and balance items weighing up to 50 pounds individually or additional weight with assistance.
Strong knowledge of surgical instrumentation and tray composition
Proficiency with instrument tracking and case cart management systems
Effective verbal and written communication with OR and SPD teams
Demonstrated sense of urgency and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced surgical environment
Collaborative team approach with the ability to work independently when required
Ability to perform residue (resi) contamination testing and maintain accurate records

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Surgical Technologist preferred
Experience in case cart management preferred

Responsibilities

Verify and inspect case carts prior to OR start times, ensuring first and second cases are complete and staged to designated operating rooms
Identify missing instruments on case carts and take immediate action to pull, locate, or fulfill each need
Pull add-on cases and complete case carts as the surgical schedule evolves throughout the day
Pull case carts for the following day and maintain documentation of progress for the incoming team
Deliver completed case carts to the OR in a timely manner per department protocol
Identify and locate missing instrumentation for next-day case carts and work with the department supervisor to ensure instruments are sourced and available
Serve as the primary point of contact between OR and SPD personnel and physicians to identify and resolve issues
Maintain ongoing, proactive communication with the OR team and SPD to support turnover needs and ensure continuity of case flow
Attend daily departmental huddles and review the daily surgery schedule with OR/SPD leadership to determine instrument needs and communicate requirements to SPD
Collaborate with service line leads, OR personnel, and the SPD Instrument Coordinator to ensure instrument tray needs and changes are addressed transparently and promptly
Provide daily feedback to coordinators and SPD regarding operational issues and barriers
Answer OR phone calls and provide troubleshooting assistance or tray delivery as needed
Respond to all instrument-related calls and needs from the OR with a consistent sense of urgency, prioritizing patient care and surgical schedule integrity
Complete regular room visits and audits to collect data on case delivery issues, tray quality, post-case return quality, and bioburden correctness
Perform residue (resi) contamination testing on instrumentation per department protocol and accurately log all results in the designated log book
Perform instrument audits to ensure instrument sets are delivered accurately and completely to the OR suite
Assist in establishing inventory needs lists based on daily surgery schedules
Maintain competency and proficiency with the instrument tracking system; ensure all movements and transactions are documented in real time
Identify and notate all missing instruments from case carts
Document all instrument issues, testing, and case cart activity accurately and in real time
Uphold professional communication standards with all OR and SPD team members
Support a culture of transparency, accountability, and patient-centered care
Adapt to changing surgical schedules with flexibility and a solutions-oriented mindset
Identify gaps in communication and processes between the OR and SPD and escalate appropriately